Eric Pizana is making a difference, both in the community and at Care and Share Food Bank of Southern Colorado, where the 34-year-old has worked as the volunteer services and community outreach director since 2015.
He has expanded the volunteer base at Care and Share and implemented a system that...

Rodney Gullatte Jr. didn’t waste a second getting to know his new community upon arriving in Colorado Springs in August 2015. When the 37-year-old Air Force veteran relocated to the city with his wife (who is currently in the Air Force) and their two daughters, Gullatte promptly joined a...

Sarah Garza is an assistant vice president for U.S. Bank, a mentor, a military brat, an optimist and a cheerleader — for the things that matter.
“I believe you never give up,” the 31-year-old said. “Be a cheerleader for the things that you really love. Be passionate. If there’s something...

He learned the lesson early, growing up in a family with a father, grandfather and uncle who served in the military. Following in their footsteps and enlisting in the Army — complete with multiple deployments, a Bronze Star with Valor and a Purple Heart — Garfield Edwards now is...

One can tell by Eads’ volunteer work that she’s an animal lover. In fact, her personal philosophy perfectly captures that admiration.
“Be the person your dog thinks you are,” she said.
When not around her four-legged friends, Eads is audit manager at BKD LLP, where she’s worked since 2011. It’s a...

“I’m a little deaf in one ear,” said Anthony Carlson, 33, as he sat for an interview in a noisy coffee shop. “That’s because I spent 15 years sitting in front of a trumpet section.”
Carlson, a clarinet player, graduated in 2008 from Midwestern State University in Texas with a...

For Beau Kelly, Colorado Springs is home. And he says it always will be.
“I can’t imagine not living here,” he said. “My entire family is here; my wife’s family is here. It’s where we belong.”
Kelly, who works in the development office at UCCS, is a native of Colorado Springs,...

Patty Erjavec took a “giant, giant leap of faith” to become president of Pueblo Community College — and her impact after eight years in the role has been just as great.
“Dr. Erjavec encourages her faculty and staff to be creative, innovative and ambitious,” PCC Dean of Arts and Sciences...

Gemma Delgaudio’s enthusiasm for life spills out as she speaks, so it’s easy to envision the regional marketing specialist for Pacific Dental Services influencing those around her.
The native of Wales is married with a 5-month-old daughter, and her husband is a deployed Army officer. She’s lived in Colorado Springs...

Empathy comes naturally for Melissa Marts.
“In my heart, there’s always been this piece dedicated to educating and empowering people,” she said.
Formerly the chief programs officer at Care and Share Food Bank, her last position as executive director at Women’s Resource Agency came about organically.
“I met staff from Women’s Resource...

Rosenna Bakari moved to Colorado Springs about a year ago, and her work is already making an impact in the community.
In 2010, Bakari started Talking Trees in Des Moines, Iowa. The nonprofit organization and website is dedicated to helping and empowering adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and incest.
Before...

This year, a record 12,422 students enrolled at UCCS are hoping to earn a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree at the 52-year-old university.
In 1976, Susan Szpyrka was just like them — a student working toward a degree. Now she has two from the school and has worked at UCCS...